Uluwatu Coast Cleanup

Uluwatu, on the southern tip of Bali’s Bukit Peninsula, is known worldwide for its dramatic limestone cliffs, its temple and its surf breaks. That same geography — headlands, coves and strong currents — also makes parts of the coastline a collecting point for marine debris carried in on the tide. Waste that originates far away can wash up here, alongside litter generated by heavy local and visitor activity.

We have chosen to focus on the Uluwatu area, rather than “Bali” in general, because a specific area can be understood, assessed and reported on honestly. A named stretch of coast has identifiable access points, known local authorities, and a measurable quantity of waste. It also has communities and businesses with a direct stake in keeping it clean. That specificity is what makes a cleanup accountable rather than symbolic.

It is important to be precise: we have not yet fixed the exact cleanup site. The Uluwatu area is our proposed focus, and the final location will be agreed with local partners and authorities. We would rather name a realistic area now and confirm the exact site with the people who know it, than announce a precise beach we have not yet earned the right to work on.

Marine plastic and mixed coastal waste do most of their damage slowly. Larger items break down into smaller fragments and eventually into microplastics, which are far harder to recover and which enter the food chain. Waste on a beach is, in a sense, the last moment at which much of this material can still be removed intact. A well-run coastal cleanup intercepts debris at that recoverable stage.

The problem is not only ecological. Accumulated waste affects the communities and livelihoods that depend on a healthy coastline, from fishing to tourism. Addressing it well therefore means treating the cleanup as a piece of community infrastructure — organised, repeatable and locally owned — rather than a one-off gesture by outsiders.

BeeCharity is a Swiss association. We cannot, and will not, arrive in Bali and organise activity on a coastline without local cooperation. Beyond being disrespectful, acting alone would be impractical and, in many respects, unlawful. Local partners hold the knowledge, relationships and permissions that make responsible work possible.

A confirmed local delivery partner is therefore the first true milestone of this project — more important, at this stage, than the fundraising total. The partner helps confirm the site, navigate permissions, understand seasonal conditions, recruit and brief volunteers, and — crucially — arrange responsible handling of the waste we collect. Until that partnership is confirmed through due diligence, the project remains in planning.

Our proposed model runs in sequence: confirm the local partner; confirm the site and permissions; complete a baseline assessment; recruit and equip volunteers; deliver a cleanup day or a short series; separate, weigh and responsibly transfer the collected waste; and finally publish evidence and a financial report. Each step depends on the one before it.

The campaign target for this project is CHF 10,000. This is a defined, modest figure chosen to fund a genuinely well-organised effort rather than a token gesture. Publishing the target before we ask for support is deliberate: supporters should be able to see the scale of what they are backing before they give.

We publish budget categories rather than invented precise figures, because the real costs will be set with the local partner once the site and logistics are confirmed. Presenting exact numbers now would imply a certainty we do not yet have.

The categories we expect to fund include local coordination and permissions; waste-collection equipment; protective equipment; responsible waste transport and disposal; water and basic provisions for volunteers; local communications and awareness; documentation and impact reporting; payment-processing and campaign costs; and a reasonable contingency. When the project is delivered, we will publish what was actually spent against each category.

Before any cleanup takes place, we expect to confirm the necessary permissions for the chosen site and to satisfy ourselves, through due diligence, that our delivery partner operates responsibly and safely. This includes their own approach to safety, waste handling and community relations.

Volunteer roles will depend on project needs, local requirements and safeguarding considerations. They may include on-the-ground participation in the cleanup, coordination and logistics, and documentation. We will only invite volunteers to a site once the project is confirmed, safe and lawful — volunteer safety is part of project readiness, not an afterthought.

The single most important operational commitment is this: we will not begin collecting waste until we have a confirmed, responsible route for handling it. Collecting rubbish from a beach only to see it mishandled elsewhere would defeat the purpose. Where operationally possible, collected material will be separated, weighed and transferred to responsible waste handlers, prioritising recycling and safe disposal over uncontrolled dumping or burning.

Measurement matters for honesty. Recording the total weight of waste collected — and categorising it where feasible — gives a concrete, verifiable result rather than a vague claim of success. We will set realistic measurement targets with the local partner rather than promising numbers in advance.

The main risks are openly acknowledged: local permissions and partner availability may affect timing and location; weather and tides can affect the safety and timing of a cleanup; and responsible disposal capacity must be confirmed before any collection begins. Each of these is a reason the project is still in planning rather than a fixed commitment.